Creativity through performance

We are theatre practitioners 1 and work creatively with actors and non-actors in a range of contexts. The work is participatory, and as such the stories and ideas of the group shape the process and the outcome and are underpinned by principles of inclusion. This means equally valuing everyone’s contribution, listening to and incorporating individual ideas and interests and ensuring that we communicate with clarity and enable participants to express themselves in their own way (not necessarily via speech). The groups we work with are at the centre of the creative process. The creativity becomes a form of communication, expression, understanding and sharing for the group. The work might take the form of a workshop, performance, installation or other shared moments with or without audiences. This text introduces two different projects to provide an insight into this practice. Both projects involved adults with mixed learning difficulties, many of whom were also on the autism spectrum. The texts include reflections, an overview of our methods and some practical exercises. Throughout we will explore participation, process, and the value of this work.